- Category
- Latest news
The Rocket That Hunts Shaheds Just Hit 100,000 Units—and Demand Is Growing
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit, marking a major production milestone for a precision weapon that has become increasingly important in modern drone warfare, UK Defence Journal reported on March 9.
The APKWS kit converts standard 2.75-inch unguided rockets into precision-guided weapons, offering a significantly cheaper alternative to larger guided missiles while still maintaining high accuracy.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The system is designed to reduce collateral damage and provide flexible strike capabilities across a range of missions.
Originally developed as a low-cost precision strike option, the system has recently gained attention for its growing role in countering uncrewed aerial systems, including the type of one-way attack drones increasingly seen in modern conflicts.
“With over a decade of proven performance, reliability, and accuracy, APKWS guidance kits have supported precision-strike missions worldwide,” said Neeta Jayaraman, director of Precision Guidance and Sensing Solutions at BAE Systems.
“This milestone demonstrates our ability to deliver innovative technology rapidly and at scale. With our new production contract, we’re poised to support evolving mission needs for years to come.”
The guidance kit can be deployed from a wide range of launch platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, ground vehicles and maritime platforms.
According to BAE Systems, APKWS is capable of supporting multiple engagement types, including air-to-surface, surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and even air-to-air operations.
The system is currently in service across several branches of the US military, including the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, and is also available to allied nations through foreign military sales programs.
BAE Systems has maintained full-rate production of the system for more than a decade while continuing to develop upgrades and new variants aimed at addressing emerging threats on the battlefield.
Manufacturing of the APKWS guidance kits takes place at BAE Systems facilities in Hudson, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas.
Earlier, Norway was financing the development of a low-cost, laser-guided rocket concept for Ukraine that could be an analogue of the APKWS, as part of a $313 million package focused on air-defense-related munitions.
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-ec4392556f6009a91047c2b638e6a9e7.png "Satellite imagery confirms two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were destroyed at the Shiraz Shahid Dastgheib International Airport in Iran, March 6th, 2026. (Source: SOAR)")